Exhibitor's Trade Review (Mar-May 1925)

April 11. 1925 Page 31 Six Banner Films Get Under Way Ginsberg Distributing Corporation Announces New Features Now in Production The Henry Ginsberg Distributing Corporation is now practically set as to (he product of the Banner Corporation comprising a series of six outstanding features for the current season. The first production under way for Banner is "The Love Gamble," a screen version of the novel, "Peggy of Beacon Hill," by Maizie Greig. The author is well known in England and this is her first American book. It is a lively story of modern youth, iove and frivolity laid among the quaint Bohemian byways of cultured Boston's Beacon Hill district. "The Checkered Flag," by John Mersereau, is another well known work, portions of the story having appeared in serial form and later made into a volume of racing stories. It is a vivid story of the automobile industry and the racing game. This picture lends itself admirably to smashing ckmaxes and will have a sensational racing scene. The third production is one that is expected to prove a revelation and it is believed that a new theme for pictures has been discovered. The remarkable story will be presented under the screen title, "Wandering Footsteps." "Whispering Canyon," the fourth of the Banner series, is one that will be a story of a newly exploited field, the lumber forests of the west. It has many big scenes md a strong love theme. The other two stories will be announced very shortly which will complete the six productions scheduled for Banner. Mr. Ginsberg, in keeping with his plans, has started an energetic selling and distribution campaign which is to be followed up with exceptional publicity and exploitation. "Wizard of Oz" Booked for Broadway Run "The Wizard of Oz," the Chadwick Pictures Corporation of the world-famous L. Frank Baum book and play, has been booked for the new Colony Theatre for an indefinite engagement starting April 12th. A special prologue is being prepared for this New York showing that will be in keeping with the fantastic theme of the play. The world premier showing of this new Larry Semon feature established several new records at the Forum Theatre in Los Angeles. The first five days at that theatre brought more money into the box-office than had been received, in any other week in the history of the theatre, the producers report. This production is the first attraction to remain at the Forum for more than one week. At the completion of its third week, although the business seemed to warrant a further extension of the engagement, it was necessary to withdraw the picture because of the several other local bookings that had been arranged. Columbia Specials Based On Famous Plays and Novels George Merrick Engaged to Edit Successful Stage Productions for Screen Adaptation The independent market has demanded in the program of every producer pictures based on plays, books and stories which have received popular acclaim in other forms. This was the policy followed last year when Columbia Pictures made pictures of such books and plays as "The Foolish Virgin," by Thomas Dixon, "The Price She Paid," by David Graham Ph Hips, "A Fool and His Money," by George Barr McCutcheon, "Whe Cares," "One Glorious Night," "The Midnight Express," "After Business Hours," all of them by well known writers and all of which had been before the public in some form or other. The same polcy will be followed this year in the series of six Columbia Specials which this concern will produce. "The Lure of Broadway" and "The Unwritten Law," were immensely popular plays when they were produced and in the more flexible medium of the screen they should have even more popular appeal when produced with modern technique. "The Danger Signal," "SO.S.," "Perils of the Sea,' "Midnight Fl?mes," and "Ladies of Leisure" have all appeared in story form in various of the more popular magazines and then followed by publication in book form. H. H. Van Loan, the internationally known writer of short stories and books, has written a spec al story tor Columbia Pictures under the title of "Whiter Than Snow." There will be other stories forthcoming from the pen of V an Loan as well as some from other equally well known writers. Mr. George Merrick has just been signed to edit the films made from these stage and novel successes and with him added to the staff of directors, writers and other studio staff workers whose connection with Columbia is already known, the holders of Columbia franch.ses can look forward to an even greater year than that which has just closed. Three Rayart Films Completed Word from the Rayart producng units in California this week advises the completion of "Quick Change," a Dell Henderson Production starring George Larkin, and of "The Fear Fighter," first of a series of fast action comedy-dramas starring Billy Sullivan. Also of the last of the first series of Reed Hcwes productions entitled "Youth's Gamble," the last two mentioned pictures being Harry J. Brown productions. Arthur A. Lee Going Abroad Mr. Arthur A. Lee, President of the LeeBradford Corporation, sails on the White Star liner S S. "Baltic" on April 4th. He will remain abroad for about six weeks and will visit London, Paris, Berlin and the other important European capitals. Extremely tense moments arise in Lee-Bradford's production, "Unrestrained Youth," as scenes here indicate. For dramatic thrills, the picture unfolds a variety of new surprises.